Spurs host Manchester City on Sunday evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and these are the XI players a likely Conteless team will field.
After having surgery earlier this week, it is unlikely Antonio Conte will be on the sideline for Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, although he may be at the game. Instead, Cristian Stellini will likely be in charge for a showdown with one of the best in the League, Manchester City. Although it is improbable that Conte is stalking the sideline on Sunday, it is even more far-fetched to think Stellini will deviate from the team and approach Conte wants to be employed. With Conte’s clear stamp on the team in mind, our projected XI looks familiar and may not be the one most fans want to see.
Predicting Spurs Forwards
Despite a new addition – Arnaut Danjuma – and two players returning from injury in Richarlison and Lucas Moura, the front three is probably the easiest area of the field to project – for now. With Danjuma still settling and Richarlison and Moura recovering from injury, seeing any of them start would be as surprising as seeing Conte on the sideline.
Left-forward – Heung-min Son
It has not been the season most envisioned for Son, with eight goals in all competitions and only four in the Premier League. Son did score two against Preston the last time out for Spurs and had an assist against Fulham when Tottenham was last in League. We all hope this is the start of one of Sonny’s purple patches.
Center-forward – Harry Kane
The next goal for Harry Kane will be a significant one after tying Jimmy Greaves for the club record 266 goals against Fulham. Further, if his next goal is in the Premier League, it will be the 200th League goal of his career, becoming the third player to reach the milestone, joining League legends Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.
Right-forward – Dejan Kulusevski
Since the Swede returned to the Tottenham lineup, the team has looked more dangerous on the counter and more creative in the attack. Deki delivers that verve Spurs were missing when so many attackers were out injured, Kulusevski included.
Tottenham’s Projected Midfield
Left wing-back – Ivan Perisic
Often when Spurs are going to be more defensive and play primarily on the counter – against a team like City – you’d think Conte would opt for Ryan Sessegnon, who is better defensively than in attack. However, Perisic can do both and provides more of a threat in the attacking third. Tottenham needs to run at City and take the game to them, which Perisic can do.
Central midfield – Rodrigo Bentancur
Like last January, once Kulusevski and Bentancur returned to the lineup, things started clicking for Tottenham again. Bentancur seems fully recovered from an injury sustained at the World Cup and can hopefully get back to the level he was at before the injury, which was as good as any midfielder in the world.
Central midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg
Like Kane, Pierre Hojbjerg got the day off against Preston North End, and it was a rest the Dutchman very much needed. We should expect to see Hojbjerg fit and firing on Sunday. Likely to be outnumbered in the midfield for much of the day, so keeping the game in front of him will be paramount for Spurs’ success.
Right wing-back – Emerson Royal
We know Matt Doherty will not be starting after having his contract terminated, and although most fans likely want to see Pedro Porro, seeing him off the bench is the more likely outcome Sunday. As a result, Emerson Royal will get the nod, providing sound defensive cover but not the kind of forward push we expect Porro to bring.
Predicting the Tottenham Defense
The defense was one area where many expected some action in the transfer market, but it never came. This means we will see much of the same defense we have all season and will be hoping they can maintain their focus for a full 90 minutes against a team that capitalizes on mistakes.
Left-back – Ben Davies
Davies started the last time Tottenham played City and did okay, although he was replaced late on by Clement Lenglet. That change ended up being an unfortunate one for Spurs, as Lenglet made an error that gifted Riyad Marhez his second goal and City the game at 4-2. With more offensive weapons on the bench, perhaps Davies plays the full 90.
Center-back – Eric Dier
Perhaps the position most needed for an upgrade, Eric Dier will again be starting in the heart of Spurs’ defense. Dier is not terrible by any means, but he is typically good for a brainfart or error each match, which has cost Tottenham a lot over the years. When he plays peerless, Spurs can win; let’s hope that is the case Sunday as Dier battles Erling Haaland.
Right-back – Cristian Romero
Maybe the one position fans and likely the coaching staff feels good about in the defense is right-back, at least when Cristian Romero is healthy. If Romero can win his battles with Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne on the Tottenham right, it can take a lot of pressure off Davies on the left and keep City away from the goal.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
Fresh from a day off against Preston in the FA Cup and coming off a clean sheet against Fulham in the League, Hugo Lloris should be ready for action. We need to hope Lloris is up to his best because he is likely to be called upon early and often against a City team that is not afraid to take chances and shots.
Full Tottenham XI and the Bench
Tottenham will be in their usual 3-4-3, which will, at times, be a 5-2-3 against the ball dominance of Manchester City. And although there are several new and returning faces, they will have to be on the bench and hope to make the most of a likely limited opportunity.
Projecting Spurs’ Bench
With nine players allowed and several added to the mix, some firepower is again on the Tottenham bench. Returning from injury, Richarlison will be itching to get his opportunity, as will new signings Arnaut Danjuma and Porro. While Moura is again available for selection, we expect one more game before he returns to the squad.
Ryan Sessegnon, Davinson Sanchez, Lenglet, and Fraser Forster provide defensive coverage, while Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp are for midfield support.
Tottenham XI
Lloris – Davies – Dier – Romero – Perisic – Bentancur – Hojbjerg – Royal – Son – Kane – Kulusevski
Tottenham Substitutes
Forster – Sanchez – Lenglet – Skipp – Bissouma – Porro – Sessegnon – Danjuma – RIcharlison
That is the 20 Stellini and Conte will choose; who do you see featuring against City?